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A Dream of Playing a Game

A Dream of Playing a Game

I just remembered a dream given to me by the Spirit of the Lord back in '76, my first year as a believer...I was with a group of people, the same ones I attended church with in real life. We had traveled away from the city to a remote wooded area. After parking our cars, we all were led by the pastor into this heavily wooded area. All the while we were following the pastor, he was telling us how everything was provided for the animals who lived in these woods. I remember how amazed I was learning of this and was beginning to really like these woods and was considering what my life would be like living off of "nature" rather than the voice and hustle of city life.After a long while, we came to an open area where we were to rest awhile. We all ate and were enjoying our rest when someone came up with an idea for a game. This open area included a large pond of water with small mounds scattered about rising above the water level. Since the water was a little above waste deep, everyone agreed to this proposed game. It was "king of the hill" and each person was to try to climb on top of the mounds while everyone else was trying to prevent them by pulling/pushing them back into the water. At first, this was much fun but after awhile, my eyes began to throb.At first, I couldn't understand why they hurt so but when I was watching everyone playing this game, instead of grabbing an arm or leg or pushing a body back into the water to get them off the mounds, they were placing their hands on each side of their heads and with their thumbs pressing on their eyes, they pushed or shoved them down. Just as I was realizing how this game was being played, someone came over to me and asked why I wasn't playing with them. I tried to tell them that my eyes were hurting and throbbing in pain when they grabbed me in that same manner and shoved me into the water.That was when a fear began to wash over me. If they continued to play the game this way, each of us will become blinded due to the constant pressure being applied to our eyes. With this sudden realization, I began to try to persuade some not to play the game in this manner but they would not listen to me. So, I sought to bring this revelation to the attention of the leader but his response was to dismiss my concerns saying, "We have ALWAYS done it this way."With no one that will listen, my fears grew to a near panic. I wanted to live in these woods but did not want to become blinded. I didn't know what to do and in a panic, I ran back the way we came. Back to the place where we had parked our cars. By this time, the sun was beginning to set and it was twilight. As I ran towards the cars, I could see two dark figures among the parked cars. I "knew" these were up to no good and decided to ignore them and run past them. Just as I was near them, I could see the glint of metal reflecting off the disappearing light. Instantly I knew this was a knife and these men were going to kill me lest I go back and warn the others.I woke up drenched in sweat and trembling in fear. I cried out to the Lord and He began to show me what I should have done differently in the dream. He then opened my eyes to a vision of that same dream and at the point just before I panicked and ran, He showed me that I should have called out to Him and once I did, He would have shown me what to do. I was not to panic or run back the way I came but to remain patient. Eventually, others would also begin to "feel the pain" in their eyes and "see" what was actually happening. Once I saw their "eyes being opened" to the dangers, I was to go to each of them and offer encouragement to do what the Lord told me to do, wait patiently until the rest realized what was happening to them. This vision ended.What I understood then and now about this dream/vision is that there is much we continue to do in our church experience that is harmful to us and will eventually cause blindness. Trying to warn others about this danger is fruitless because they can see no harm in what they are doing. ONLY until their "eyes are opened" to see and feel that harm will they be ready to "hear" the warning. For far too long, the church continues to practice something simply on the basis of, "we have always done this" without considering whether what they are doing and practicing was given by God to do. It cannot be given by God if the results bring blindness. I see this as various traditions we have accepted without question.Folks, not everything we do in church was designed or authorized by God, including our "order of worship" or the manner in which we have "church services". We conduct church services in the order it is currently being practiced simply because we have always been doing it this way. But understand, God did not establish this order. God's order is clearly seen in 1 Corinthians 14:26-33. We must read the entire chapter to see the context. After reading these verses, ask yourself, do I see these examples in my church being practiced or is there a different form or model?We've accepted this "model" but do not know where it came from. We just continue to "do it this way" because for generations before us, THIS is the model THEY followed. In my own research, I found that when the Protestants separated themselves from the Roman Catholic church, they pulled away according to doctrine but the "order" of worship remained "essentially" the same. There are some differences due to doctrinal reasons but the order of the service remains very similar.Some songs or worship followed by community announcements, then the preaching or message given by the "leader" with everyone required to sit, facing forward and listen passively with no interaction or dialog provided for. Everyone is expected to "agree" with the leader with no one else allowed to voice either their concerns or further revelation. Everyone is also expected to agree with "full understanding" and without question. Have you ever been in a school class where everyone fully understand everything the teacher was teaching? That never happens, otherwise, everyone would make a perfect score on their test papers. We all know this doesn't happen.Unless the teacher has the time to interact with each student, not everyone will fully understand the subject material. This is why some make "A's" or "B's" or "C's" etc. Not everyone can fully grasp what is being taught and some need more tutoring than others. So how is it expected in church services that everyone will be able to fully understand the messages given by the leader? And, each week, a new message is given that everyone will not fully understand and the next meeting, the same thing. This continues from day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year. How soon will those who cannot understand be discouraged because what material is being covered is not reviewed or taught in greater detail to the point they CAN understand it.Folks, THIS IS NOT DISCIPLESHIP according to the way Jesus discipled His followers. Notice how often Jesus' disciples asked Him to explain Himself and His parables and Jesus patiently explained so that they will not be kept in the dark. In TRUE DISCIPLESHIP, there is always interaction and dialog between those who lead and those who are being discipled. Relationship is very important to the Spirit of the Lord yet, we ignore this crucial and critical part of our lives when we go to "church" where a format is followed that does not lend itself towards discipleship on a personal level.Read 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 again. Notice that everyone is called to participate and once revelation is being presented by one, others catch further revelation and are allowed to express what they are "seeing and understanding" via the Spirit of the Lord. This exchange is not limited to just 2 or 3 as the speaking of tongues but he says, "For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged."In God's model, no one is "left behind" as all may have their questions answered. The goal is to ensure that everyone has as complete an understanding of the heart and desire of the Father as everyone else. In our current model of church services, this can never be achieved. Can you see that? I sincerely hope you can. So, if you do, you may be tempted to want to try to "change" the minds of others too. Understand, this may be frustratingly fruitless unless you ARE the leader.Instead of leaving that place you are in, stay there and wait patiently UNTIL you see others beginning to "awaken" to this reality. Once you see this, go to them and encourage them as you were encouraged. God is still working in the lives of His children but not all will be ready at the same time. It is not realistic to expect all the leaves on the tree to fall to the ground at the same time. They fall when they are ready. So it is with God working in the lives of His children. They will be ready WHEN they are ready. Only God knows the when. We are required to BE THERE FOR THEM when they are ready. Will YOU be there for them? Will you wait for them?

Soon after I received the Lord in 1976, I started receiving prophetic visions and warnings about the future of the church and the United States. I share my visions on my Hidden Manna websites and offer free of charge my two ebooks entitled “Hidden Manna” and “Hidden Manna 2”.